This single question is the key that can unlock a wealth of stories and solve a host of mysteries, large and small. This is the question that launche… - James E. Ryan

Wait, what?” is first on my list of essential questions because it is an effective way of asking for clarification, and clarification is the first step toward truly understanding something — whether it is an idea, an opinion, a belief, or a business proposal. (It’s probably not a good idea to ask this question in response to a marriage proposal. Just saying.)

The simple truth is that an answer can only be as good as the question asked. If you ask the wrong question, you are going to get the wrong answer.

Not having answers, much less a vision, made me nervous at first, to the point of despair and occasional panic. After a while, however, I grew tired of pretending I knew the answers, so I started to ask questions, even in response to questions. As in: “That’s a good question. What do you think?